Egypt, Cradle of Civilization: Cultural Festivals-Part ΙΙ

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Cultural Festivals-Part ΙΙ

Copyright © Egypt, Cradle of Civilisation

Picking up from our previous post about culture houses, we decided to follow with festivals. The festivals range from art and book festivals to fishing and horse festivals.

Of the most popular annual festivals that draw crowds in the millions is the Cairo International Book Fair. The first book fair was held in 1969. The Book Fair takes place in mid January and lasts for two weeks. The Fair is one of the biggest in the Middle East and during the course of the exhibition, there are lectures, seminars and special displays held on the grounds.

The Cairo International Film Festival is also another major international attraction, to be held annually in early December, and has been for the past 26 years. Besides the regular competition the festival includes tributes, controversial films, seminars and appearances by international artists, which over the years have included Matt Dillon, Nicolas Cage, Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren.

The 39th Cairo International Film Festival [15 till 24 November, 2016]

The Experimental Theatre Festival is held in September at the Cairo Opera House. This festival allows young artists from many parts of the world to present experimental theatrical performances based on freedom of thought, creativity and experimentation. And this year's 13th Ismailia International Festival for Folk Arts attracted 24 troupes from 17 countries, performing on 9 stages, also proved to be a success.

Cairo holds three international music festivals. During the month of August Cairo hosts the International Song Festival, which attracts not only Arab performers but talent from the international scene. The second being the Arab Music Festival which is held in the Cairo Opera House during the month of November and celebrates a tradition of Arabic music. In its 11th year the festival boasted the live performance of 44 singers during the course of 18 concerts. But the most popular is the Citadel Music Festival held in late July early August. It features beautiful voices like the Algerian Souad Massi and this year witnessed the appearance of the Grammy and BBC Award winner Fathy Salama, among others.

The Arab Horse Festival, which is being held at the moment in El-Sharkya Governarate, on the Cairo-Belbas road, includes competitions for show-jumping, horse beauty and horse manners. Another sure attraction held Mid June at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel, is the annual Belly Dancing Festival. The most recent of festivals which has rapidly gained good reviews is the International Yoga Festival. The last event was themed "the Wonders of the World", taking participants from the Khufu Pyramid, in Cairo through the Jordan Rift Valley to the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea. Still on the agenda is the Health and Beauty Exhibition taking place from the 8-11 this coming October, and the seventh Egyptian Marathon on the 13th of February 2009 and the second Alexandria Run in October 2009.

El-Sharkia 18th Arab Horse Festival held in Egypt

Considered to be second only to the famous Dakar Rally, the annual Pharaohs Rally is a seven-day, seven-stage event across the Sahara. The race starts on the Pyramids plateau and in the shadow of the Sphinx in Giza. It is a race a grueling 3,000km (1,850 miles) circular course that ends up back in the bustling capital. A test of endurance for drivers and their vehicles, this tough event attracts more than 130 vehicles and 100 motorcycles from all over the world. This year it starts on the 5th and ends on the 12th of October. The sport of fishing has two popular festivals during the year. An International Fishing Festival in Hurghada that takes place during the month of February and a National Fishing Festival in Sharm El Sheikh that takes place in November.

Sun Festival at Abu Simbel in Aswan, is observed twice annually on 22nd of February and on 22nd of October. These dates mark the birthday and the ascension to the throne of the Emperor Ramses ΙΙ. On these days, shafts of sunlight enter into the temple and illuminate the face of the statues of the great King Ramses II and the two Sun gods Re-Horakhte and Amen-Re seated beside the Theban god Ptah, the god of darkness. As the temple remains in absolute darkness through out the year and receives sunlight on these two very special days, the rare phenomenon is a scene that you just cannot afford to miss. Celebrated in a big way by the locals, undoubtedly the Sun Festival at Abu Simbel is one of the most uncommon and astounding festivals in the world.

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Living in Cairo

Culture

Fittingly for a country at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, Egypt is a great cultural mix. Its unique heritage stretching back over 5,000 years combines with a modern, forward-looking and progressive outlook. It is a country of contrasts, yet one where all are made welcome and encouraged to make the most of everything Egypt has to offer.

Climate

Winters tend to be mild, with sunny days and cool nights. Daytime temperatures in February, for example, are around 19°C (66°F) and nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F). From spring through summer to early autumn it is hot – very hot in July and August, when temperatures can reach over 40°C (104°F). But these high temperatures often come with cooling breezes. In short, sunshine is the key feature!

Home life

When deciding where to live you can choose from a variety of areas, including Maadi, October 6 and Zamalek. Each area has its own distinct character and attractions. Maadi has many green spaces, beautiful old houses and quiet streets. With international schools close by and plentiful gyms, cinemas and restaurants, it is home to many expats, especially families. October 6 has luxurious gated communities and is close to the Smart Village business park. Zamalek is a vibrant area on the Nile island in downtown Cairo – the location of many embassies, hotels, sports clubs, fine restaurants, the opera house, and the homes of rich Cairenes.

Schools and universities

Cairo has 15 international schools: 11 English schools, two German schools and two French schools. There are also four international universities: the American University in Cairo, the German University in Cairo, the British University in Egypt and L’Université Française d’Egypte. All the schools and universities are internationally accredited. The schools offer a full range of qualifications, from A levels to International Baccalaureate. The universities offer bachelor degrees, master’s, and PhDs.